10/25/2010: "Now On Line"

The 2011 Preliminary Budget has been published and as expected, there is something in it to depress everyone. The summary is a succinct statement of where the County is, and that where we go from here is still an open question:

SUMMARY

"A sustainable budget requires a new paradigm. Some of that paradigm is in the control of county government, some is in the control of the voters and some is in control of the state leg-islature. We should work to thoughtfully manage that part that is in our control. This budget makes additional steps in consolidation and reduction in services. The downward trend line is also pushed further out into the future with the generous contribution of the employees. The short message is we have made some progress and some difficult decisions remain about future service levels." -SJC Administrator Pete Rose